The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health, will present a special research-based program track at the American Psychiatric Association's (APA's) 160th Annual Meeting in San Diego, entitled, "The Science of Addiction: Translating New Insights into Better Psychiatric Practice."
WHAT: NIDA presentations will address state-of-the-art research questions including:
- Why can't addicts just stop? Is there a link between addiction and obesity?
- What does genetics tell us about the risk of addiction?
- Which comes first, addiction or psychiatric disorders?
- Should substance abusing offenders be given treatment in prison?
WHY: Modern brain imaging technologies have revolutionized our ability to peer deep inside the human brain in order to study its various normal and diseased states. The pioneering studies demonstrating that active brain development continues well into the mid-twenties are a clear indication of the power of these new tools. Indeed, these results could help explain why the adolescent brain may be more vulnerable to the deleterious effects of abused drugs. Another good example s the discovery of commonalities between compulsive eating and drug addiction through shared neurobiological processes. At this major scientific meeting, NIDA will have a special track highlighting the translation of these new insights into psychiatric practice.
WHEN: May 19-24, 2007
WHERE: American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting
San Diego Convention Center
111 W. Harbor Dr.
San Diego, CA 92101
Press Room: 14 A/B, Mezzanine Level
Highlights of the NIDA track at the APA meeting include:
- Insights on Obesity and Drug Addiction from Brain Imaging - NIDA Director Dr. Nora D. Volkow and NIDA researcher Dr. Joseph Frascella will lead this session. This will take place Monday, May 21, from 2 to 5 p.m. in Room 5 B, Upper Level, of the San Diego Convention Center.
- The Neurobiology of Free Will in Addictive Disorders - On Tuesday, May 22, at 11 a.m., NIDA Director Dr. Nora D. Volkow will lecture on this subject. This will take place in Ballroom 6 C/D/E/F, Upper Level, of the San Diego Convention Center.
Other NIDA-sponsored events include:
- a workshop on gene-environment development interactions,
- a workshop on neuroimaging research and its implications for substance abuse treatment,
- a symposium on the adolescent brain, and
- a symposium on prenatal nicotine exposure.
Other events of interest:
- The Road to Equity: Marching Towards a Just Treatment of Mental Illness and Addiction in America - on Monday May 21, at 9 a.m. The Honorable Patrick J. Kennedy will speak in Ballroom 6 C/D/E/F, Upper Level, of the San Diego Convention Center.
Media interested in attending any session at the APA's annual meeting must be accredited by the APA. Reporters can pick up credentials in the APA's Press Room at the San Diego Convention Center.